92. Al-Layl

By the night when it covers1

By the night as it veils [the earth] in darkness

Witness is the Night as it cloaks in darkness

And [by] the day when it appears

and by the day as it appears radiantly

And the Day as it shines with splendor

And [by] He who created the male and female,

and by the creation of the male and the female

Witness is creation of the male and the female

Indeed, your efforts are diverse.

O men, you truly strive towards the most diverse ends

Behold, your effort is diverse. (Your occupations and earnings are different. Let not this be a cause for division among you)

As for he who gives and fears Allāh

As for one who gives [to others] and fears [God]

And so, he who gives and walks aright

And believes in the best [reward],

and believes in the truth of what is right

And makes his life a manifest image of benevolence

We will ease him toward ease.

We will pave his way to ease

We will indeed ease his way to the Ultimate Ease

But as for he who withholds and considers himself free of need

But as for one who is miserly and unheeding

But he who withholds and thinks himself self-sufficient becoming careless of others

And denies the best [reward],

and rejects what is right

And makes his life a manifest image of denial of goodness

We will ease him toward difficulty.

We shall pave his way to hardship

We will indeed ease his way to hardship

And what will his wealth avail him when he falls?1

nor will his wealth profit him when he falls [into the pit]

And what could his wealth avail when he himself falls! (6)

Indeed, [incumbent] upon Us is guidance.

Surely, it is for Us to provide guidance

Behold, it is for Us to show you the Way (through this Revelation)

And indeed, to us belongs the Hereafter and the first [life].

and to Us belongs the Hereafter as well as the present world

And behold, unto Us belong the End and the Beginning

So I have warned you of a Fire which is blazing.

I have warned you then about a raging Fire

And so I warn you of a raging Fire

None will [enter to] burn therein except the most wretched one

none shall enter it but the most wicked

Which only the most unfortunate must endure

Who had denied and turned away.

who denied [the truth], and turned away

He who denies and turns away

But the righteous one will avoid it

One who fears God shall be kept away from it

But far removed from it is he who walks aright

[He] who gives [from] his wealth to purify himself

one who gives his wealth to become purified

Who gives his wealth that he may grow in goodness

And not [giving] for anyone who has [done him] a favor to be rewarded1

and owes no favour to anyone, which is to be repaid

Not that he is returning any favors

But only seeking the face [i.e., acceptance] of his Lord, Most High.

acting only for the sake of his Lord the Most High

But only to seek the Approval of his Lord, the Most High

And he is going to be satisfied.

and before long he will be well satisfied

And soon he will be pleased